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Chazal summarized three destructions of Temples – Shilo and the two Batei Hamikdash – as follows. "Rav Yochanan ben Torata said: Why was Shilo destroyed? Because of the disgrace of kodashim (sacrifices) within it. The first Beit Hamikdash was destroyed because of idolatry, adultery, and murder. However, regarding the final one, we know that they toiled in Torah and were careful about tithes; why were they exiled? Because they loved money and hated their fellow man. This teaches you that Hashem despises hatred for one’s fellow to a degree that is equivalent to idolatry, adultery, and murder" (Tosefta, Menachot 13:22).
Before learning from the statements, let us reveal the identity of Rav Yochanan ben Torata. The Pesikta (Rabbati 14) tells of a Jew who had a cow for plowing, which he had to sell to a non-Jew due to poverty. The non-Jew tried to work the cow on Shabbat, but the cow refused to budge. The buyer decided the cow was flawed and wanted to nullify the sale. The seller realized that the cow was unaccustomed to working on Shabbat and offered to get it to work. He spoke to the cow, saying: "While you were used to not having to work on Shabbat, since, due to my sins, I had to sell you and you are now owned by a non-Jew, I ask of you to get up and plow." The cow did just that. When the buyer saw this, he promptly decided to convert, and he became known as Yochanan ben Torata (Aramaic for "son of the cow"), and he became a respected scholar.
The destruction of Shilo was prompted by the actions of the sons of Eili, who disgraced the institution of sacrifices by turning the Mishkan into a lucrative business for the marketing of various meat products. There is no greater disgrace to korbanot than to turn them into a business. Rav Yochanan’s explanation of the destruction of the first Beit Hamikdash is the standard one.
The explanation that the second Beit Hamikdash was destroyed due to baseless hatred is also well-known, but Rav Yochanan ben Torata adds that they were occupied in Torah and were careful about ma’asrot, yet they loved money and hated their counterparts, which was as despicable as cardinal sins. Their carefulness about important elements of the Torah did not prevent them from loving money and the related sins of lack of honesty when money is involved or from hating those who were different from them. [Ed. Note- the language implies that they hated those who were similar to them as well, as was the case with Rabbi Akiva’s students.]
Let us ask ourselves if we have sufficiently opened our hearts and doorways to converts and if we have been concerned about Shabbat not just for ourselves but for the betterment of others in society as well. Let us ask whether we have been careful to increase love between all elements of society in Israel, even those who are not in our niche. We will leave these questions open for contemplation in our lives (not those of others) on this Shabbat that leads into the week of Tisha B’Av.
Peninei Halakha 11. Shaving One’s Beard During the Three Weeks
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
